Bilingual Timeline

Events

Compulsory Ignorance Laws

In the 1740s southern colonies passed compulsory ignorance laws which banned enslaved African Americans from learning English. These racist laws continued until the end of the Civil War in 1865.

Nationality Act

1906

Congress' first federal language law requiring that all immigrants seeking naturalization speak English.

"Sink or Swim"

1920 - 1960

English immersion or "sink-or-swim" policies are the dominant method of instruction of language minority students. Few or no remedial services are available.

Meyer vs. Nebraska

1923

The case Meyer v Nebraska ruled that states have full authority to determine the language of instruction in state schools. However, after- school bilingual programs would be fully permitted

Brown vs. Board of Education

1954

The historic case ruled that separate does not mean equal and ultimately eliminated segregation in schools. This also meant that English language learners were prohibited from being excluded from their peers.

Title VII

1964

Comprehensive educational reforms entail reconfiguration of Title VII programs. New provisions reinforce professional development programs, increase attention to language maintenance and foreign language instruction, improve research and evaluation at state and local level, supply additional funds for immigrant education, and allow participation of some private school students.

Bilingual Education Act

1968

The act called for the inclusion of all students who do not speak English into school systems. The early Bilingual Education Act also included funding, additional policies, and aid to low-income families.

Lauv vs. Nichols

1974

After the mistreatment of Chinese students left to "sink or swim" in English classrooms, Lau v Nichols ruled that an equal education is not equal treatment. Bilingual students needed specialized instruction to survive.

Casteñeda vs. Pickard

1978

The ruling in the Casteñeda v. Pickard case led to a 3 part assessment for bilingual programs in schools. The programs had to be based on an educational theory, provide adequate resources, and after a trial period proven effective.

No Child Left Behind

2001

The No Child Left Behind Act substituted for the Bilingual Education Act. The NCLB still focused on opportune education for English Language
Learners, it emphasized funding for low-income families and bench-mark testing.